Lock box for package delivery

ABSTRACT

A lock box secured to a landing or porch in front of a residential home. The lock box may be used for delivering and picking up packages. A user may place a package for delivery in the lock box and then lock it. A delivery person may then unlock the lock box and retrieve the package. Alternatively, the delivery person may place the package within the lock box and lock it. Then the user that lives at the residential home may unlock the box to retrieve their package.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application number 61/669,527, filed Jul. 9, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a lock box and, more particularly, to a lock box mounted in front of a residential home for package delivery.

Package delivery or parcel delivery is the shipping of packages (parcels) or high value mail as single shipments. While the service is provided by most postal systems, private package delivery services have also existed in competition with and in place of public postal services. When delivering a package to a residential neighborhood including townhouses or single family homes, the package may be delivered and left on the front porch. This is typically done regardless of the weather conditions. Therefore, during rain or snow, the package may become wet, which may result in a ruined package. Further, the packages are out in the open and therefore are easy to steal.

As can be seen, there is a need for a lock box that prevents damage and theft of packages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a package holding device comprises: a bottom side, and at least one sidewall having a top rim, wherein the bottom side and the at least one sidewall form a receptacle in between and an opening at the top rim; a mounting mechanism configured to mount the bottom side of the receptacle to a surface; a lid hinged to the top rim of the at least one sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to cover the opening; and a locking mechanism comprising a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the lid secured in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises the lid capable of being opened and closed.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of protecting a mailing package comprises: providing a lock box comprising: a bottom, and at least one sidewall having a top rim, wherein the bottom and the at least one sidewall form a receptacle and an opening at the top rim; a lid hinged to the top rim of the at least one sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to cover the opening; and a locking mechanism comprising a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the lid secured in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises the lid capable of being opened and closed; mounting the lock box to a front porch of a residential home; opening the lid of the lock box and placing a package for delivery within the lock box; and locking the lid in the locked position.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the dual key lock shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the present invention demonstrated with the lid of FIG. 1 in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention showing a mounting mechanism of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a detail section view of the present invention along line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a lock box secured to a landing or porch in front of a residential home. The lock box may be used for delivering and picking up packages. A user may place a package for delivery in the lock box and then lock it. A delivery person may then unlock the lock box and retrieve the package. Alternatively, the delivery person may place the package within the lock box and lock it. Then the user that lives at the residential home may unlock the box to retrieve their package.

The present invention facilitates the safe and dry delivery of packages. In certain embodiments, the lockbox of the present invention may be made of plastics, stainless steel or another metal that does not rust to sustain harsh weather conditions. In certain embodiments, the present invention may be used for securing other items, such as lawn accessories. The dimensions of the lock box may be about 20 inches in width, 20 inches in depth, and 30 inches in length. However, the lockbox is not limited to the dimensions mentioned above and may be any dimensions desired.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the present invention may include a lock box 10. The lock box 10 may include at least one sidewall having a top rim and a bottom side. For example, the lock box 10 may include four sidewalls. The sidewalls and the bottom side form a receptacle in between and an opening at the top rim. The lock box 10 may further include a lid 12. The lid 12 may be connected to the top rim of the sidewall by a hinge 20. The lid 12 may close to cover the receptacle and open to reveal the inside of the receptacle.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism may be used to mount the bottom side of the lock box 10 to a surface 18. In certain embodiments, the surface 18 may be a porch or landing in front of a residential home, such as a concrete porch. The mounting mechanisms may include bolts 16 going through openings in the bottom side of the lock box 10. The bolts 16 may be mounted to an anchor 26 that is within the surface 18. Therefore, the bolt 16 and anchor 26 may secure the lock box 10 to the surface 18.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may include a locking mechanism 14. The locking mechanism 14 may be in a locked position and an unlocked position. The locked position may secure the lid 12 in a closed position, preventing the lid 12 from being opened and thereby securing the contents within the lock box 10. The locking mechanism 14 may be in an unlocked position in which the lid 12 may be opened and closed freely.

In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism may include a first key lock and a second key lock, as illustrated in the Figures. The first key lock may be opened by a first key and the second key lock may be opened by a second key. For example, the owner of a residential home may own a first lock and may lock and unlock the lock box 10. The user may place a package 22 within the lock box 10 and lock the lock box 10 using the first key. A delivery person may use a second key to unlock the lock box 10 and remove the package 22 for delivery. Further the delivery person may deliver a package by opening the lock box 10 with the second key and place the package 22 within the lock box 10. The user or owner of the home may open the lock box 10 with the first key to obtain the package. The lockbox 10 therefore prevents the package 22 from being weather damaged and stolen.

A method of securing a package may include the following. The lock box mentioned above may be provided. A user may mount the lock box to a front porch or landing of a residential home. The user may then open the lid of the lock box and place a package for delivery within the lock box. The user may then lock the lid in the locked position. In certain embodiments, the locking mechanism may include a first key lock and a second key lock. A first key may unlock the first key lock and a second key may unlock the second key lock. In such embodiments, the user may lock the first key lock with the first key, and a second user may access the package by unlocking the lock box with the second key.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A package holding device comprising: a bottom side, and at least one sidewall having a top rim, wherein the bottom side and the at least one sidewall form a receptacle in between and an opening at the top rim; a mounting mechanism configured to mount the bottom side of the receptacle to a surface; a lid hinged to the top rim of the at least one sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to cover the opening; and a locking mechanism comprising a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the lid secured in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises the lid capable of being opened and closed.
 2. The package holding dev ice of claim 1, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises at least one bolt formed to fit through at least one opening in the bottom side, wherein the bolt is secured to an anchor in the surface.
 3. The package holding device of claim 1, wherein the surface is a landing or front porch of a residential home.
 4. The package holding device of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first key lock and a second key lock, wherein the first key lock and the second key lock are locked and unlocked by two different keys.
 5. The package holding device of claim 1, comprising the dimensions of about a 20 inch width, a 20 inch depth, and a 30 inch length.
 6. The package holding device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sidewall and bottom comprise a solid plastic.
 7. A method of protecting a mailing package comprising: providing a lock box comprising: a bottom, and at least one sidewall having a top rim, wherein the bottom and the at least one sidewall form a receptacle and an opening at the top rim; a lid hinged to the top rim of the at least one sidewall, wherein the lid is formed to cover the opening; and a locking mechanism comprising a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked position comprises the lid secured in a closed position, and the unlocked position comprises the lid capable of being opened and closed; mounting the lock box to a front porch of a residential home; opening the lid of the lock box and placing a package for delivery within the lock box; and locking the lid in the locked position.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first key lock and a second key lock, wherein the first key lock and the second key lock are locked and unlocked by two different keys.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the lid is locked by a first user using a first key.
 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of unlocking the lid by a second user using a second key. 